Darren Powell will play his first game in seven months in a behind-closed-doors reserve team friendly today.

The big centre half has been out since Easter Monday after injuring his posterior knee ligaments against Millwall.

He has been missed as George Burley was forced to deal with a glut of casualties in the middle of his defence.

But he is set to line-up alongside Michael Svensson in the specially arranged game at West Ham this afternoon.

Burley said: "Darren will play his first game for a long while.

"He's gone close to playing on several occasions and picked up little niggles like a hamstring strain, which has held his comeback up.

"He's training fine now and his knee is fine as well.

"No doubt he's used to the league, he's strong like Michael Svensson and it's nice to see him playing again.

"You can only gauge his fitness in the reserves and see how he performs."

Bartosz Bialkowski, who has played all the reserve games since September, will celebrate signing a new contract by playing again in goal.

Reserve boss Stewart Henderson is expected to field a strong midfield containing Andrew Surman, Marcelo Sarmiento, Adam Lallana and Pele, who could be used in the middle.

Pele played the first ten league games of this season following his summer arrival from Portuguese club Beleneses.

But he was demoted to the subs' bench when Claus Lundekvam was fit again at the beginning of October and has only played in the Carling Cup loss at Notts County since.

Leon Best's return from a loan spell at Bournemouth will see him partnered up front by David McGoldrick.

More Saints news in today's Daily Echo